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Nigerians 'to release UK hostage' Nigerians 'to release UK hostage'
(about 2 hours later)
Nigerian militants say they will release Matthew Maguire, a British hostage held in the southern oil swamps for almost nine months.Nigerian militants say they will release Matthew Maguire, a British hostage held in the southern oil swamps for almost nine months.
An e-mail from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said Mr Maguire would be freed because 1 June is his birthday.An e-mail from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said Mr Maguire would be freed because 1 June is his birthday.
Mr Maguire was one of 27 hostages taken from an oil services boat in September - all the other hostages were released.Mr Maguire was one of 27 hostages taken from an oil services boat in September - all the other hostages were released.
There has been fierce fighting in recent weeks between Mend and the army.There has been fierce fighting in recent weeks between Mend and the army.
This has mostly been in Delta State, while it is believed that Mr Maguire is being held in Rivers State.This has mostly been in Delta State, while it is believed that Mr Maguire is being held in Rivers State.
"Today, June 1 is Mathew Maguire's birthday. He has spent close to 9 months in captivity and we hope to release him today as his gift," Mend said in a statement from their pseudonymous spokesman Jomo Gbomo."Today, June 1 is Mathew Maguire's birthday. He has spent close to 9 months in captivity and we hope to release him today as his gift," Mend said in a statement from their pseudonymous spokesman Jomo Gbomo.
They warned the military not to try and attack them in an attempt to rescue Mr Maguire.They warned the military not to try and attack them in an attempt to rescue Mr Maguire.
The British High Commission in Nigeria said it was "investigating" Mend's claim and would comment when they had more information.The British High Commission in Nigeria said it was "investigating" Mend's claim and would comment when they had more information.
British hostage Robin Hughes, taken from the same boat as Mr Maguire, was released in April because he had fallen sick.British hostage Robin Hughes, taken from the same boat as Mr Maguire, was released in April because he had fallen sick.
Kidnap industryKidnap industry
They were seized by a group of pirates operating in Nigeria's oil coast, who then handed them over to Mend.They were seized by a group of pirates operating in Nigeria's oil coast, who then handed them over to Mend.
The other hostages were released within days. Mend had said they would hold on to the British pair until Mend leader Henry Okah, currently facing the death penalty at a treason trial being held in secret, was released by the government.The other hostages were released within days. Mend had said they would hold on to the British pair until Mend leader Henry Okah, currently facing the death penalty at a treason trial being held in secret, was released by the government.
Hundreds of foreign oil and construction workers - and many more Nigerians - have been kidnapped by militants since 2006.Hundreds of foreign oil and construction workers - and many more Nigerians - have been kidnapped by militants since 2006.
Militants who say they are fighting for a better deal from Nigeria's oil revenue, fund their groups with kidnapping, extortion and oil theft.Militants who say they are fighting for a better deal from Nigeria's oil revenue, fund their groups with kidnapping, extortion and oil theft.
Corruption and poor governance in the region has allowed militant groups to flourish, activists say.Corruption and poor governance in the region has allowed militant groups to flourish, activists say.